NSG 552: COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
ADVANCED PSYCHOPHARMACOLY
COVERAGE : MODULES 1 - 10
2026/2027/2028 TESTING CYCLE
100 VERIFIED Q & A, WITH EXPERT RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS
GRADED A+
Q1: A patient on lithium reports increased urination and thirst. Which condition should the nurse
suspect?
A. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
B. Hyperthyroidism
C. Renal failure
D. Diabetes mellitus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium can cause nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, characterized by polyuria and
polydipsia. The kidneys fail to respond to ADH, leading to dilute urine.
Q2: Which medication is FDA-approved for maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lamotrigine
C. Sertraline
D. Bupropion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lamotrigine is FDA-approved for maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder,
particularly for preventing depressive episodes.
,Q3: A patient on valproic acid reports hair loss and weight gain. Which additional adverse effect
should the nurse monitor for?
A. Polycystic ovary syndrome
B. Hyperthyroidism
C. Renal failure
D. Osteoporosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Valproic acid is associated with weight gain, alopecia, and polycystic ovary syndrome
(PCOS) in young female patients.
Q4: Which medication is a CYP3A4 inducer?
A. Ketoconazole
B. Fluoxetine
C. Carbamazepine
D. Valproate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Carbamazepine is a potent CYP3A4 inducer. Ketoconazole is an inhibitor; fluoxetine
is a CYP2D6 inhibitor; valproate is a CYP2C9 inhibitor.
Q5: A patient on lamotrigine develops a rash after missing 4 days of medication. Which action
should the nurse take?
A. Continue the current dose
B. Double the dose to catch up
C. Discontinue the medication and notify the provider
D. Restart the titration from Week 1
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Any new rash in a patient on lamotrigine requires immediate discontinuation and
provider notification due to the risk of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. If the medication has been
stopped for more than 3–5 days, the titration must be restarted from Week 1.
Q6: A patient with borderline personality disorder has transient psychotic symptoms. Which
medication is most appropriate?
, A. Low-dose atypical antipsychotic
B. High-dose SSRI
C. Benzodiazepine
D. Lithium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Low-dose atypical antipsychotics are used for transient psychosis in borderline
personality disorder.
Q7: Which personality disorder is characterized by social detachment and restricted emotional
expression?
A. Borderline personality disorder
B. Schizoid personality disorder
C. Antisocial personality disorder
D. Narcissistic personality disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Schizoid personality disorder (Cluster A) is characterized by social detachment and
restricted emotional expression.
Q8: A patient on lithium has a WBC count of 14,000/µL but is asymptomatic. Which action
should the nurse take?
A. Notify the provider immediately
B. Recognize this as benign leukocytosis
C. Hold the next dose
D. Administer an antibiotic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium can cause benign leukocytosis. In an asymptomatic patient, this is an
expected effect and does not require intervention.
Q9: Which medication is a cholinesterase inhibitor used for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's
disease?
A. Memantine
B. Donepezil
ADVANCED PSYCHOPHARMACOLY
COVERAGE : MODULES 1 - 10
2026/2027/2028 TESTING CYCLE
100 VERIFIED Q & A, WITH EXPERT RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS
GRADED A+
Q1: A patient on lithium reports increased urination and thirst. Which condition should the nurse
suspect?
A. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
B. Hyperthyroidism
C. Renal failure
D. Diabetes mellitus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium can cause nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, characterized by polyuria and
polydipsia. The kidneys fail to respond to ADH, leading to dilute urine.
Q2: Which medication is FDA-approved for maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lamotrigine
C. Sertraline
D. Bupropion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lamotrigine is FDA-approved for maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder,
particularly for preventing depressive episodes.
,Q3: A patient on valproic acid reports hair loss and weight gain. Which additional adverse effect
should the nurse monitor for?
A. Polycystic ovary syndrome
B. Hyperthyroidism
C. Renal failure
D. Osteoporosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Valproic acid is associated with weight gain, alopecia, and polycystic ovary syndrome
(PCOS) in young female patients.
Q4: Which medication is a CYP3A4 inducer?
A. Ketoconazole
B. Fluoxetine
C. Carbamazepine
D. Valproate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Carbamazepine is a potent CYP3A4 inducer. Ketoconazole is an inhibitor; fluoxetine
is a CYP2D6 inhibitor; valproate is a CYP2C9 inhibitor.
Q5: A patient on lamotrigine develops a rash after missing 4 days of medication. Which action
should the nurse take?
A. Continue the current dose
B. Double the dose to catch up
C. Discontinue the medication and notify the provider
D. Restart the titration from Week 1
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Any new rash in a patient on lamotrigine requires immediate discontinuation and
provider notification due to the risk of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. If the medication has been
stopped for more than 3–5 days, the titration must be restarted from Week 1.
Q6: A patient with borderline personality disorder has transient psychotic symptoms. Which
medication is most appropriate?
, A. Low-dose atypical antipsychotic
B. High-dose SSRI
C. Benzodiazepine
D. Lithium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Low-dose atypical antipsychotics are used for transient psychosis in borderline
personality disorder.
Q7: Which personality disorder is characterized by social detachment and restricted emotional
expression?
A. Borderline personality disorder
B. Schizoid personality disorder
C. Antisocial personality disorder
D. Narcissistic personality disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Schizoid personality disorder (Cluster A) is characterized by social detachment and
restricted emotional expression.
Q8: A patient on lithium has a WBC count of 14,000/µL but is asymptomatic. Which action
should the nurse take?
A. Notify the provider immediately
B. Recognize this as benign leukocytosis
C. Hold the next dose
D. Administer an antibiotic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium can cause benign leukocytosis. In an asymptomatic patient, this is an
expected effect and does not require intervention.
Q9: Which medication is a cholinesterase inhibitor used for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's
disease?
A. Memantine
B. Donepezil
